THE latest in the Conscious Reggae Party series at the Countryside Club took place Friday in St Andrew. In memory of singer Garnet Silk, it was an entertaining affair.

Aaron Silk, younger brother of the late artiste who would have been 49 on April 2, delivered a lively set in tribute to his illustrious sibling who died tragically on December 9, 1994.

After performing some of his own material such as The Right Path, Step Out and Fighting Brave, Aaron Silk and his Reel Vybz band rekindled the musical flames Garnet blazed with Mama Africa, Zion in a Vision and Oh Me Oh My.

“He was a force to be reckoned with and his presence on stage was magical,” she said.

Prior to Aaron Silk, there were strong performances from newcomers with whom Garnet Silk would have been pleased. Among them, show-opener Monifa Gross with the AZISI Band, with renditions of Don’t Call it Quits and Don’t Tickle Me.

Carolyn also impressed with Lion and Love and Affection. So too Stevon Myers with Wrapped Up, Rippa Jackson who did Mau Mau Warriors and Too Much Die, D Medz with Champion and We a Rebel Soldier and Steph-Eyi, who, like his predecessors, earned approval for his impromptu appearance with One Step at a Time and Got to Find It.

Nature, backed by the Warrior Love Band, closed the show on a high note with Trying Man, Herbalist, I Just Want to Love You, Higher, Higher, Revolution and World Peace.

One of the most influential figures in modern reggae, Garnet Silk (real name Garnet Smith) and his mother died in an explosion at her Manchester home 20 years ago. He was 28.

–By Basil Walters

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